A senior clergyman in Wales is threatening to resign if the openly gay Dean of St Albans, Dr Jeffrey John, is appointed Bishop of Bangor.

Canon Peter Jones, the treasurer of Bangor Cathedral and a vicar in the diocese, said that homosexual acts were “sinful and wrong” and the appointment of Dr John would force him to consider his position.

Dr John celebrated a civil partnership with the Rev Grant Holmes two years ago but their relationship has not been physical for many years. As such he meets the requirements under Anglican teaching that homosexuals should be celibate.

Five years ago Dr John was appointed Bishop of Reading but was forced not to continue after a conservative campaign against him. He is now among several candidates nominated to succeed Bangor’s former bishop, Tony Crockett, who died of cancer this year.

Canon Jones told the Western Mail: “I would be strongly opposed to the appointment. Jeffrey John is a strong advocate of changing the Church’s traditional teaching on homosexuality and I accept the teaching of Holy Scripture that homosexual acts are wrong. Therefore to have someone deliberately seek to undermine that teaching — that is clearly not someone who is suitable to hold office as a bishop in the Church of God.”

Dr John’s liberal supporters believe that a refusal to appoint him because of his sexuality would be proof that opposition to gays is based on homophobia. The Anglican Church has preached constantly against homo- phobia while preaching also against the actively gay lifestyle.

Conservative opposition to gays is based on texts within the Bible condemning homosexuality. However, the Rev Martin Reynolds, a priest in Wales and a spokesman for the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, said that many traditional teachings in the Bible, such as severe punishments for adultery, were no longer observed literally.